According to the Health Ministry’s daily news release, since the epidemic started in early January, Angola has reported 3,402 cholera cases and 114 fatalities.

Angola has been reporting over 100 new cases of cholera every day since February 1, with a high of 295 cases on February 8. However, according to the press release on Tuesday, only around 20 samples are analyzed daily, meaning that laboratory testing to confirm illnesses is still restricted.

The illness has expanded to other regions since the January 7 outbreak, although it has mostly hit Luanda and the neighboring province of Bengo.

The Health Ministry’s epidemiological bulletin on Monday said that over 925,000 individuals, or 86% of the target population, had received cholera vaccinations, according to the Xinhua news agency.

The World Health Organization defines cholera as an acute diarrheal illness brought on by ingesting food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. It is a sign of inequality and a lack of social and economic advancement and poses a danger to public health worldwide. Cholera and other waterborne illnesses may be avoided by having access to clean water, basic sanitation, and good hygiene.

Oral rehydration solution (ORS) may be used to treat the mild to severe diarrhea that most cholera patients experience. However, in order to preserve lives, therapy must begin as soon as possible since the condition may advance swiftly. Intravenous fluids, ORS, and antibiotics are necessary for patients with severe illness.

If left untreated, severe acute watery diarrhea from cholera may be lethal in a matter of hours. Although the majority of Vibrio cholerae infections do not cause symptoms, the bacterium may be transferred via feces for one to ten days. Twelve hours to five days after infection, symptoms start to show.

For ages, people have been aware of cholera. The 19th century saw the first known pandemic, or worldwide epidemic. Millions of people have died globally as a result of six pandemics since then. In 1961, the current (seventh) pandemic began in South Asia and is still affecting people all over the world.